Art in View

September 12, 2013

Wes Bruce spent much of his formative youth building forts and structures in the forests of Northern California. As an emerging artist, he now transforms space through large-scale installations, such as his latest whimsical creation, "Wes Bruce: Taken By Wonder," showing now through Nov. 2 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Schaefer International Gallery.

As the MACC's first artist-in-residence, Bruce has created a structural installation within the 4,000-square-foot-gallery. The structure takes up two-thirds of the gallery space, with the remaining area used as a living community interactive space for visitor contributions for the duration of the residency and exhibition.

Bruce's concept for this project focuses on the fictional research space of a group of outsiders, and the discovery of their existence on an unknown island. There are blurred boundaries and hypothetical concepts alluding to origins, physical and cultural development, biological characteristics, and social customs. Clues within the layers may lead viewers to believe that the inhabitants have only just left the space, stirring up a curious voyeurism and questioning.

Article Photos

Mixed-media installation by Wes Bruce

Gallery visitors are encouraged to explore the caverns and chambers of the space to find artifacts, maps, remnants of world civilizations, photographs, field samples, illustrations and writings. They are also invited to become part of the response in an interactive mapping room adjacent to the structure.

This community collaboration will evolve through the duration of the exhibit, with public lectures and education tours facilitated by the artist and gallery staff and will be documented by video and photography.

Calling all artists! The deadline to submit work for the ninth annual Malama Wao Akua juried exhibition is almost here. Entries will be accepted from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 23 at Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao. The exhibition will run from Sept. 25 through Oct. 23.

Malama Wao Akua is being presented by East Maui Watershed Partnership and Viewpoints Gallery. It's purpose is to raise awareness about native species within Maui Nui (Maui, Lana'i, Kaho'olawe and Moloka'i).

Last year's exhibit drew 144 entries, with 78 pieces selected for the exhibition.

All Maui County residents are invited to submit original artwork for the show. Age group divisions include elementary school (grades K to 5), middle school (grades 6 to 8), high school (grades 9 to 12), and adults.